Hurdler Nicola Robinson broke a 33-year-old Coventry Godiva club record in the opening Division Two round of the National Womens League at Copthall Stadium.

The 19-year-old junior international raced to victory in the 100 metres hurdles in a legal time of 14.0 seconds - removing a fifth of a second from the Harriers record which had stood since 1972 to Chris Taylor, and also shattering the junior mark set by Bev Malpass in 1980.

Robinson's superb performance was a rare bright spot on a disappointing day for Godiva who, with a number of first-string athletes unavailable and without a recognised thrower, finished last of the eight clubs.

The middle distance runners provided some relief with twins Katie (1500m 4-37.0) and Maria Thomas (3000m 10-34.5) both securing third places along with Sarah Hayward (800m 2-17.2), who led for most of the two laps only to be eased out in the sprint.

Relegated at the end of last season, Rugby & Northampton AC had a much better day and finished second behind host club Shaftesbury Barnet to raise hopes of a quick return to the top flight.

New recruit Celia Brown won the 1500 metres in a club record 4-32.7, and the 4 x 100 relay quartet of Claire Pearson, Vicky Barr, Ellena Ruddock and Claire Spurway also posted a new club best of 47.5 seconds to win.

A third club record fell to Brown, Barr, Claire Brason and Ruddock in the 4 x 400 relay with 3-55.1 in third place.

Lucy Marshall won the hammer with a throw of 50.24 metres, while Vicky Nealon had personal bests for fourth place in both the 100 metres hurdles (16.4) and long jump (5.05). oJUNIOR international triple jumper Gary White pulled out a last round season's best of 15.10 metres to give Rugby & Northampton their only win in the BAL Men's League Division Three match at Kingston upon Thames.

It was a disappointing day for the team and, last in the opening round, another bottom place means that at the halfway point in the season they are already certain of relegation. oCOVENTRY GODIVA are top of Division One in the Midlands Men's League at the halfway mark.

Cheltenham Harriers proved strongest on the day in the second match at Worcester, but first-round winners Godiva were only nine points adrift with a good all-round team performance to retain the overall advantage.

Henry Hammond (800m 1-55.4, 3000m 8-51.9) had two good second places on the track, while Yann Pierre-Louis (17.5) won the 110 metres hurdles and Jamie Blundell (13.15) continued his winning run in the triple jump.

The throws pairing of Glynn Hollingworth and Ben Howard gained valuable points in their three events. oNUNEATON HARRIERS gave a much improved performance to finish third in their Division Three match at Corby - pulling themselves out of the bottom two in the overall table.